Fat, Feeder Lamb Prices
Mostly Steady
Fat and feeder lambs held steady on most Texas markets this week,
San Angelo weak to $1 lower on feeders. Billings, Mont. reported a
$2-4 lower trend on heavy feeders, and New Holland, Penn. was
anywhere from $10 to $20 higher on fats.

Small Grain Grazing Programs
Have Built-In Risk Management
Most economists think in terms of hedging in the futures market when
they talk about risk management. Dr. Ted McCollum, Extension beef
specialist in Amarillo, Texas, thinks about strategies and forage
when it comes to stocker cattle systems.

TCFA Junior Fed Beef
Challenge Featured Intense Competition
he Texas Cattle Feeders Association Junior Fed Beef Challenge
overall champion and top scholarship winner in the Senior Division
was Pete Dahl of Texhoma, Okla., who won a $2000 college
scholarship. Matt Mellema of Dalhart captured reserve champion and a
$1500 scholarship, and brother Tammo Mellema took home first
runner-up honors and a $1000 scholarship.

Total Meat Production 4.3% Above A Year AgoTotal red meat production under
federal inspection for the week ending Saturday, August 12 was
estimated at 904.1 million pounds, 4.3 percent higher than the
previous week and 4.2 percent higher than a year ago. Cumulative
meat production for the year to date was 3.9 percent higher compared
to the previous year.

Too Many Conflicting
Priorities Brought End To Doha Trade Talks
The current Doha Round of free trade negotiations at the World Trade
Organization in Geneva collapsed on July 24 after five years of
negotiations. Negotiations failed because the parties remained too
far apart in negotiating the reduction and/or elimination of trade
barriers and/or import tariffs, especially regarding the amount of
tariff reductions in agriculture.

Boxed Beef Prices Rise On All Grades
The national comprehensive boxed beef cutout report on all fed
steers and heifers sold last week gained $6.86 to close at $139.94.
This is the highest closing price since July 7.